Be the Referee: Hockey Hits

March 9, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses how illegal hockey hits have no place in the game and how they're being watched for closely.

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Hockey Hits - Listen

At the high school level in all contact sports, there continues to be a focus on protecting players and preserving player safety. This year in ice hockey, hits to the head and fighting are never to be considered part of the game at the high school level.

Hits from behind, high elbows, forearms, high sticks or shoving the head or neck area have no value to the game and only increase the risk of injury to players. The game of hockey is one of great skill, speed and finesse; and these dirty and unnecessary hits are now clearly illegal.

    Past editions
    March 2: Deciding the Game - Listen
    Feb. 23: Pitch Counts - Listen
    Feb. 16: Recruiting Officials - Listen
    Feb. 9: Ejections - Listen
    Feb. 2: Wrestling & Technology - Listen
    Jan. 26: Post Play - Listen
    Jan. 19: Ice Hockey Overtime - Listen
    Jan. 12: Free Throw Change - Listen
    Jan. 5: Ratings - Listen
    Dec. 22: Video Review - Part 2 - Listen
    Dec. 15: Video Review - Part 1 - Listen
    Dec. 8: Registration - Part 2 - Listen
    Dec. 1: Registration - Part 1 - Listen
    Nov. 24: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
    Nov. 17: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
    Nov. 10: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
    Nov. 3: The Goal Line - Listen
    Oct. 27: Help Us Retain Officials - Listen
    Oct. 20: Point After Touchdown - Listen
    Oct. 13: Untimed Down - Listen
    Oct. 6: Soccer Penalty Kick Change - Listen
    Sept. 29: Preparation for Officials - Listen
    Sept 22: You Make the Call: Returning Kickoffs - Listen
    Sept. 15: Concussions - Listen
    Sept 8: Equipment Covering the Knees - Listen
    Sept. 1: Play Clock Experiment - Listen
    Aug. 25: Clipping in the Free Blocking Zone - Listen

    Be the Referee: Vern L. Norris Award

    April 30, 2015

    This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses the MHSAA's highest honor awarded annually to officials. 

    Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

    Below is this week's segment - Vern L. Norris Award - Listen

    The Vern Norris Award is the most prestigious award the MHSAA has for officials. The Norris Award, named after former MHSAA Executive Director and long-time official Vern Norris, doesn’t just go to the official of the year. The award is for leaders in the officiating industry, those who have recruited new people into officiating and have been leaders in the areas of training and preparing young new officials.

    This year’s winner, right here from the Lansing area, is Sam Davis, a long-time wrestling leader and official, and we could not be more proud of Sam as this year’s winner of the Vern Norris Award.

    Past editions
    March 23 - Deciding the Game - Listen
    March 16 - Block/Charge Call - Listen
    March 9 - Dive on the Floor - Listen
    March 2 - Primary Areas - Listen
    Feb. 23 - Too Much TV - Listen
    Feb. 16 - Video Clip Library - Listen
    Feb. 9 - Cheer Safety - Listen
    Feb. 2 - Basketball PA Announcers - Listen
    Jan. 26 - Wrestling Health Concerns - Listen
    Jan. 19 - Basketball Physical Contact -
     Listen
    Jan. 12 - Video Review Part 2 - Listen
    Dec. 29 - Video Review Part 1 - Listen
    Dec. 17 - Registration Part 2 - Listen
    Dec. 10 - Registration Part 1 - Listen
    Dec. 3 - Legacy Program - Listen
    Nov. 26 - Sideline Management - Listen
    Nov. 19 - 7-Person Mechanics - Listen
    Nov. 12 - Blocking Below the Waist - Listen
    Nov. 5 - Tournament Selection - Listen
    Oct. 29 - Uncatchable Pass - Listen
    Oct. 22 - Preparation for Officials - Listen
    Oct. 15 - Automatic First Downs - Listen
    Oct. 8 - Officials & Injuries - Listen
    Oct. 1 - Overtime - Listen
    Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
    Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
    Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
    Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen